Chapter 80: Deception

The Lost Tower auction house gave Yu Zhizhi many of the items she would need to care for the mermaid.

Luther moved them all to the vehicle.

The beastmen from the auction house would also deliver the mermaid to her residence.

Since it was too late and the roads were too snowy to travel, they spent the night in a private room at the Lost Tower.

「The next day.」

Early in the morning, Luther took Yu Zhizhi to her new home.

Not far from the command center was an area called "Zero Star." This was Paradise’s most exclusive residential district, located very close to the command center, and the security was excellent.

The snow vehicle turned toward a detached wooden house with a small courtyard and stopped at the entrance. After getting out, Luther opened the door for Yu Zhizhi.

A gust of cold wind blew past, and Yu Zhizhi wrapped her fur-lined collar tighter. She placed a foot on the running board and slowly climbed down from the tall vehicle.

The Beastmen following close behind also carried the Water Cage into the courtyard.

"Ms. Zhi Zhi, this will be your home from now on. If you run into any trouble, just come find me directly."

His commander had stressed repeatedly that every one of the Rabbit Clan female’s requests must be met.

Of the Beast World Planet’s Three Great Empires, the Moon Rising Empire had the fewest S-Class females. Therefore, they would never pass up an opportunity to lure away an S-Class female from another Empire.

Yu Zhizhi walked through the snow in the courtyard and up to the door.

The little cabin had two stories. In the flowerbeds along the walls grew some snow-covered weeds and a few unremarkable wildflowers.

She heard the sound of running water coming from inside.

Inside was the living room, where a warm, yellow-patterned rug was spread across the floor. A fireplace sat near the window, a wood fire burning brightly within.

To the left was an open-plan kitchen, and to the right was a bathroom—the source of the running water.

The Beastmen from the Lost Tower settled the Mermaid into the bathtub.

When they came out, they didn’t dare get too close to the Rabbit Clan female, so they could only bow from a distance.

Elk had given them specific instructions: don’t displease the Rabbit Clan Lady, don’t linger, and certainly don’t even think about prying into her background.

After they left, Luther handed Yu Zhizhi a notebook. "This is from the Lost Tower. They said it has detailed instructions on how to care for a Mermaid."

"Thank you," Yu Zhizhi said as she took it.

Luther stood in the doorway and glanced toward the adjacent bathroom. The door was ajar, revealing the Mermaid in the tub with a chain around his neck.

"For now, don’t unlock his chains," Luther said, still concerned. "I’ve heard that Mermaids have incredibly sharp teeth, so you have to be careful not to let him bite you."

"And another thing—"

"You have to make him drink the Lost Potion every day. If he regains his strength, he’ll likely break free of his chains and do something to hurt you."

"Mm, I get it," Yu Zhizhi said, hugging the notebook.

It didn’t take long for her to feel warm after coming inside the cabin.

She took off her coat.

Seeing Luther still standing in the doorway, she asked, "Aren’t you coming in?"

Luther smiled. "There’s an important meeting at the base today that I have to attend. I estimate I won’t be able to come over until very late."

The young Guard Team member turned and pointed to the yard next door. "That’s my house over there."

"Oh, it’s so close," Yu Zhizhi remarked, standing on tiptoe to get a better look. The yards of the two cabins were separated only by a low fence.

’I could just hop right over,’ she thought.

Luther said, "I chose it specifically because it was close. That way, if there’s any kind of commotion on your end, Ms. Zhi Zhi, I can rush right over."

"Also, the base plans to post a recruitment notice for you, to hire a Housekeeper from Divine City. May I ask, Ms. Zhi Zhi, would you prefer a male or a female?"

Yu Zhizhi replied, "Either is fine. But why recruit from Divine City? Aren’t there any available here in Paradise?"

She remembered from the map that there was quite a distance between Paradise and Divine City.

Luther paused for a moment. "Here in Paradise, aside from Zero Star Street where the management and the Guard Team live, everywhere else is filled with criminals."

In the Moon Rising Empire, the so-called Paradise is actually the City of Criminals.

A place specifically designed to incarcerate criminals.

"...Huh?" This was the first Yu Zhizhi had ever heard of this.

Now she finally understood why the teleportation point to Paradise was so cheap. In addition to the extremely harsh weather, there was also the social environment to consider.

Seeing the astonishment in the young Rabbit Clan female’s eyes, Luther realized she hadn’t known what kind of place Paradise was.

’And she dared to come here all by herself?’

This completely upended his impression of the Rabbit Clan’s inherently timid nature.

"Don’t worry. Paradise is very well-managed now, especially Zero Star Street. No one would dare come here to commit a crime."

"But to be on the safe side, if you plan on traveling far, just let the Guard Team know."

"We will be sure to keep you safe."

Yu Zhizhi nodded lightly. "I understand."

’I originally thought Paradise was just what its name suggested—a vacation spot, especially with how bustling the Lost Tower was...’

’But that wasn’t the case at all.’

"The new Housekeeper will be brought to you within three days, at the latest."

"Okay~"

Luther had to go to the command center for his meeting.

After he left, Yu Zhizhi closed the wooden door.

The little cabin was cozy and warm. A soft blue couch sat in front of the fireplace, and directly across from it were the stairs leading to the second floor.

She poured herself a glass of water and GULP GULP, drank it down.

Thinking of the Mermaid in the bathroom, she quieted her steps and slowly drew near.

The toilet was separate from the main bathroom.

Besides the bathtub, the bathroom also had a shower stall.

A curtain acted as a partition between them.

The water in the tub, mixed with sea salt, was as clear and blue as the ocean. The Mermaid lay there quietly, his fishtail curled slightly. Steam swirled around his pale face, while the light blue scales of his tail shimmered like an enchanting work of art, utterly captivating.

’He’s so quiet.’

’Not a single word.’

A white silk ribbon was tied across his face. His prosthetic eye sat on a shelf nearby, waiting for a doctor from Paradise to come and install it.

Yu Zhizhi thought for a moment, then asked softly, "Are... are you hungry?"

’It seems like the Mermaid hasn’t eaten anything since last night.’

The Lost Tower had sent her back with a box of "feed" for the Mermaid to eat: small crackers made from seaweed.

After rummaging through the wooden box to find them, Yu Zhizhi carried a small stool over to the side of the tub.

She sat down.

The Mermaid smelled the faint scent of jasmine and milk coming from the little rabbit female. A moment later, he heard the sound of a package being torn open.

He didn’t answer, nor did he move.

As if he were dead.

Yu Zhizhi picked up a seaweed-colored cracker and held it to his lips.

The savory aroma tempted him.

Yu Zhizhi saw the Mermaid finally move. He turned his head toward the wall, refusing to eat.

Her rabbit ears drooped slightly.

’The Mermaid really seems to dislike me,’ she thought.

"Well, I’ll just put the crackers on the table. You have to remember to eat them yourself later, okay?"

In the water, the chains shifted slightly.

The Mermaid’s voice was faint and haggard. "I... can’t move."

Yu Zhizhi saw the iron chains binding his wrists, leading all the way up to his neck. He looked so pathetic.

She was reminded of herself.

She, too, had once been imprisoned like this.

But he had it worse than she did.

The Mermaid had had his eyes gouged out and been drugged. Iron chains were locked tightly around his body, crossing over his pale, fit chest and winding all the way down to his light-blue fishtail.

Yu Zhizhi couldn’t bear it. "Then... I’ll undo the chains for you. You should eat first."

She stood up and found the lock on the chains.

A CLANKING sound echoed through the bathroom.

The corner of the Mermaid Youth’s mouth curved up slightly—

’This little rabbit female.’

’Was even more than he’d imagined.’

’So much more.’

’Stupid.’

’I wonder what she’ll look like, that little rabbit, as she struggles with my sharp teeth piercing her carotid artery?’